Table 3.Itombwe Massif Sector Threats Results 



3.3 Enforcement of regulations at local level 



Implementing quotas or enforcing existing regulations and promoting alternative snaring schemes, will 

 require fundamental changes in the attitudes of local people, and an increase in the ability and 

 willingness of traditional local authorities to enforce regulations. Local people should be encouraged to 

 implement quota systems through economic incentives, such as increasing local alternative income to 

 discourage excessive or illegal hunting, through education and by raising public awareness of issues; 

 and through existing cultural background by encouraging social traditions that preclude selfish, 

 individual hunting. It may be possible to integrate the traditional taboos of certain sections of society 

 against eating certain species. These taboos may be related to perceived health risks, the health of future 

 children (Gadsby et al. 1992., Heymans, 1994., Muchaal & Ngandjui, 1995., Noss, 1998); religion, or 

 physical and behavioural similarity of apes to humans (Bennett et al. 1 995). However, people in many of 

 the areas in which these traditional beliefs were once strongly held are now becoming less strict in 

 adhering to them as a result of increased poverty followed by high level commercialization of bushmeat. 



The establishment of a specific, restricted 

 season for hunting, or the demarcation of 

 reserves.to stock hunting areas would have 

 local support in many areas, but would 

 also require government enforcement of 

 rules. Full protection will have to be 

 concentrated on priority areas (Fig. 4) 

 identified by_the National Wildlife 

 authority in collaboration with local 

 people. Again, effective local and national 

 enforcement of existing game legislation 

 is a prerequisite, all the more so since 

 established protected areas are under 

 severe threat (Bruner et al. 200 1 ). 



Figure 4. Priority area of the IMCL 



Nature & Faune Vol. 23, Issue 1 



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